The Ruff Report: Dogs and Safety

Saturday

Nov 3, 2012 at 12:01 AMNov 7, 2012 at 3:26 PM

This common activity can injure - even kill - your pet

Every day, millions of pet parents participate in a routine activity that is needlessly putting their dogs at risk of injury or even death, animal welfare officials warn.This function is so customary that some pet parents and dogs do it several times a day. They do it when they go the park, visit the veterinarian and the run errands.Story continues below

A book about a rescue dogthat will touch your heart THE HUNT OF HER LIFE, a full-color book by newspaper journalist and MySetterSam.com publisher Joseph A. Reppucci, is must reading for animal lovers of all ages. It has 60 color photos of dogs to illustrate the compelling story of Samantha, an unwanted rescue dog adopted at age 2 by Mr. Reppucci. Travel with them along a trail of life filled with surprising twists, sudden turns, mystery and even what some call a miracle. And when the journey is finished, you may never look at people and their pets, motherhood - and perhaps even God - in the same way. THE HUNT OF HER LIFE will take you on a captivating journey - a trip like no other - that will touch your heart.For more details and to order, go to theMySetterSam E-store

Also find The Hunt of Her Life on:Facebook/thehuntofherlifeAmazon.com

CLICK HERE TO LOOK INSIDE THE BOOK

----------------------------------------------------------------------Story continues here The activity that 83 percent of pet parents do that is putting their dog in harm's way is driving without their properly restraining their companion.An estimated 30,000 car accidents occur each year because people travel with unrestrained dogs, according to Bark Buckle Up, an organization that promotes the use of safety belts for pets."Safety belts can only work if you use them ... Like people, pets need to buckle up when in the car - but that takes the owner's help," Christina Selter, the organization's founder states in a media release.An unrestrained dog involved in an accident is at great risk of injury or death, and it can also be a threat to others, Ms. Selter explained. "In a 35 mile-per-hour accident, a 60-pound dog becomes a 2,700-pound projectile."An unrestrained dog involved in an accident is likely to get hurt, be frightened and attempt to flee, which can result in danger to the pet and others such as first responders and rescue workers, Ms. Selter said. "Most accidents injure the pet. Unrestrained, they can bite the first responder on a scene or cause a second accident when fleeing an accident."A rambunctious, unrestrained pet also can to distract the driver, making an accident more likely, safety officials say, yet most people drive with their dogs unrestrained. According to a survey by AAA and Kurgo, a maker of pet travel products, only 17 percent use any form of pet restraint system when driving with their dog.Other findings of the AAA/Kurgo survey include:80 percent of dog owners say they take their pet along on leisure trips, to do errands and to places like the pet store, dog parks and to work.31 percent admit to being distracted by their dog while driving.59 percent say they have been involved in distracting activities with their dog while driving.55 percent have patted their dog while driving.21 percent have allowed their dog to sit in their lap.7 percent give food and water to their dog while driving.5 percent play with their dog while driving.These behaviors can distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash, AAA says. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that looking away from the road for only two seconds doubles your risk of being in a crash.Of the 17 percent of drivers who restraint their pets, the survey found: 52 percent use a pet harness/safety belt; 28 percent use a hard-sided pet travel crate; 18 percent use a pet vehicle seat; 13 percent use a soft-sided pet travel crate; 9 percent use a vehicle pet barrier.The survey found that most drivers - 54 percent - put their dogs in the back seat during trips. Other locations in the vehicle include: front seat, 26 percent; rear cargo area, 17 percent; pickup truck bed, 2 percent.AAA warns that the airbag system in a vehicle can be deadly to a dog during a crash if it is sitting in the front seat, even if restrained.Dogs USA magazine advises pet parents to restrain their dogs in the back seat when driving. Pet parents have several options to help reduce the risk of injuries to their dogs when traveling, including the use of travel crates and pet harnesses. Crates should be large enough for a dog to stand up and change position, and secured in the vehicle’s back seat.Reports about dogs, poison and safety:Grapes, mushrooms, pot are leading pet poisonsPet collars, bowls, beds, toys laced with toxins Pet poisons bloom everywhereProtect your pet from accidental poisoningKnowing signs of poison could save your dog's lifePeople medications cause most pet poisonings

Reports about dogs, food and safetyToxic levels of chemical found in dog foodsChocolate, candies mean danger for dogs

Reports about dogs and safety:In emergency, your pet's survival depends on youNo ID means death for 800,000 pets a yearPet theft problem running rampantPets capable of swallowing strange objectsWays to keep pets safe in storms, disastersKeep pets safe from summertime dangersProtect your pet from hazards in your home More reports about dogs and safetyReports about dogs, behavior and safetyDogs always mouth off before they biteDogs feel no guilt about misbehaving Hey dummy, your dog's smarter than you thinkA place where fun can quickly erupt into fightingA dog's behavior, manners start with youCrazy pet behavior booms with fireworks

“No one plans on having another car run a red light or having a tire blow out, but these and other accidents happen every day, and they can and do injure and kill unrestrained dogs,” Dogs USA group editor Ernie Slone states in a media release. “We would never take such a risk with a child, so why would we want to do so with a beloved pet?’’HOME

Every day, millions of pet parents participate in a routine activity that is needlessly putting their dogs at risk of injury or even death, animal welfare officials warn.This function is so customary that some pet parents and dogs do it several times a day. They do it when they go the park, visit the veterinarian and the run errands.Story continues below

A book about a rescue dogthat will touch your heart THE HUNT OF HER LIFE, a full-color book by newspaper journalist and MySetterSam.com publisher Joseph A. Reppucci, is must reading for animal lovers of all ages. It has 60 color photos of dogs to illustrate the compelling story of Samantha, an unwanted rescue dog adopted at age 2 by Mr. Reppucci. Travel with them along a trail of life filled with surprising twists, sudden turns, mystery and even what some call a miracle. And when the journey is finished, you may never look at people and their pets, motherhood - and perhaps even God - in the same way. THE HUNT OF HER LIFE will take you on a captivating journey - a trip like no other - that will touch your heart.For more details and to order, go to theMySetterSam E-store

Also find The Hunt of Her Life on:Facebook/thehuntofherlifeAmazon.com

CLICK HERE TO LOOK INSIDE THE BOOK

----------------------------------------------------------------------Story continues here The activity that 83 percent of pet parents do that is putting their dog in harm's way is driving without their properly restraining their companion.An estimated 30,000 car accidents occur each year because people travel with unrestrained dogs, according to Bark Buckle Up, an organization that promotes the use of safety belts for pets."Safety belts can only work if you use them ... Like people, pets need to buckle up when in the car - but that takes the owner's help," Christina Selter, the organization's founder states in a media release.An unrestrained dog involved in an accident is at great risk of injury or death, and it can also be a threat to others, Ms. Selter explained. "In a 35 mile-per-hour accident, a 60-pound dog becomes a 2,700-pound projectile."An unrestrained dog involved in an accident is likely to get hurt, be frightened and attempt to flee, which can result in danger to the pet and others such as first responders and rescue workers, Ms. Selter said. "Most accidents injure the pet. Unrestrained, they can bite the first responder on a scene or cause a second accident when fleeing an accident."A rambunctious, unrestrained pet also can to distract the driver, making an accident more likely, safety officials say, yet most people drive with their dogs unrestrained. According to a survey by AAA and Kurgo, a maker of pet travel products, only 17 percent use any form of pet restraint system when driving with their dog.Other findings of the AAA/Kurgo survey include:80 percent of dog owners say they take their pet along on leisure trips, to do errands and to places like the pet store, dog parks and to work.31 percent admit to being distracted by their dog while driving.59 percent say they have been involved in distracting activities with their dog while driving.55 percent have patted their dog while driving.21 percent have allowed their dog to sit in their lap.7 percent give food and water to their dog while driving.5 percent play with their dog while driving.These behaviors can distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash, AAA says. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that looking away from the road for only two seconds doubles your risk of being in a crash.Of the 17 percent of drivers who restraint their pets, the survey found: 52 percent use a pet harness/safety belt; 28 percent use a hard-sided pet travel crate; 18 percent use a pet vehicle seat; 13 percent use a soft-sided pet travel crate; 9 percent use a vehicle pet barrier.The survey found that most drivers - 54 percent - put their dogs in the back seat during trips. Other locations in the vehicle include: front seat, 26 percent; rear cargo area, 17 percent; pickup truck bed, 2 percent.AAA warns that the airbag system in a vehicle can be deadly to a dog during a crash if it is sitting in the front seat, even if restrained.Dogs USA magazine advises pet parents to restrain their dogs in the back seat when driving. Pet parents have several options to help reduce the risk of injuries to their dogs when traveling, including the use of travel crates and pet harnesses. Crates should be large enough for a dog to stand up and change position, and secured in the vehicle’s back seat.Reports about dogs, poison and safety:Grapes, mushrooms, pot are leading pet poisonsPet collars, bowls, beds, toys laced with toxins Pet poisons bloom everywhereProtect your pet from accidental poisoningKnowing signs of poison could save your dog's lifePeople medications cause most pet poisonings

Reports about dogs, food and safetyToxic levels of chemical found in dog foodsChocolate, candies mean danger for dogs

Reports about dogs and safety:In emergency, your pet's survival depends on youNo ID means death for 800,000 pets a yearPet theft problem running rampantPets capable of swallowing strange objectsWays to keep pets safe in storms, disastersKeep pets safe from summertime dangersProtect your pet from hazards in your home More reports about dogs and safetyReports about dogs, behavior and safetyDogs always mouth off before they biteDogs feel no guilt about misbehaving Hey dummy, your dog's smarter than you thinkA place where fun can quickly erupt into fightingA dog's behavior, manners start with youCrazy pet behavior booms with fireworks

“No one plans on having another car run a red light or having a tire blow out, but these and other accidents happen every day, and they can and do injure and kill unrestrained dogs,” Dogs USA group editor Ernie Slone states in a media release. “We would never take such a risk with a child, so why would we want to do so with a beloved pet?’’HOME